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Judging fixtures on paper is never wise. I thought Derby's start looked favourable but some poor results at home to Wolves and Birmingham, and away at Sheffield United and Bristol City, put paid to such thoughts.

October dates against rivals Nottingham Forest (h), Sheffield Wednesday (h), Norwich City (a) and Leeds United (a) look tough - but may be these types of tests will bring the best out of Derby. See Cardiff away as an example.